Accumulated system result is a synonym for life cycle assessment result, representing the complete compilation of elementary exchanges and potential environmental impacts of a product system. This term encompasses both the life cycle inventory result, which catalogues all elementary flows crossing the system boundary, and the life cycle impact assessment result, which expresses these flows as potential environmental impacts across various Impact category.
The accumulated system result brings together all environmental data generated throughout a life cycle assessment study, presenting a comprehensive picture of a product system's environmental performance. By combining inventory data with impact assessments, the accumulated system result enables practitioners and decision-makers to understand both the specific material and energy flows associated with a product and the environmental consequences of these flows. This holistic view is essential for identifying environmental hotspots, comparing alternative systems, and making informed decisions about product design, procurement, and policy development.
